Types of antlerless permits

You may obtain a maximum of two elk permits each year—provided one or both of the permits are antlerless—but you can only apply for or obtain one antlerless elk permit in the drawing. You may obtain two elk permits in any one of the following combinations:

One bull elk permit and one antlerless permit

One bull elk permit and one antlerless elk-control permit (learn more about elk-control permits)

Two antlerless permits

One hunter’s choice permit and one antlerless permit

For the purposes of obtaining two elk permits, a hunter’s choice elk permit is considered a bull elk permit. An antlerless elk-control permit is considered an antlerless permit. Eligible hunters may purchase additional antlerless elk permits after the drawing, beginning July 21, 2011. The permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at wildlife.utah.gov and from license agents and Division offices.

One antlerless deer permit (except in areas where two-doe permits are available)

One antlerless elk permit

One antlerless moose permit

One doe pronghorn permit (except in areas where two-doe permits are available)

Note: If you drew a pronghorn permit in the 2011 big game drawing, you may not apply for a doe pronghorn permit or preference point. Likewise, if you drew a moose permit in the 2011 big game drawing, you may not apply for an antlerless moose permit or bonus point.

During the 2011 season, the Division wants hunters to harvest as many antlerless elk as possible from six of Utah’s hunting units:

Chalk Creek

East Canyon

Henry Mountains

Nine Mile, Range Creek

San Juan, East of US-191

San Rafael, North

If you obtained a permit (including general season) to harvest a buck, bull or once-in-a-lifetime species on any of the above units (not including CWMUs), you have the option of purchasing an antlerless elk-control permit.

The elk-control permit allows you to harvest an antlerless elk in the same unit where you’ll already be hunting an antlered big game animal. You may hunt the antlerless elk only during the season dates—and with the same weapon—listed on your buck, bull or once-in-a-lifetime permit.

To obtain an antlerless elk-control permit, please visit a license agent or any Division office beginning July 27, 2011.

June 1: Apply online for permits, bonus points and preference points

Instead of applying as an individual hunter, you and your friends and family can apply together as a group. Here’s what you need to need to know:

Everyone in the group must apply during the same online session—you cannot add group members at a later date.

Both residents and nonresidents can apply together. (However, if you’re a Utah resident and you decide to apply with a nonresident, make sure nonresident permits are available for each hunt your group is applying for.) If permits are not available for everyone in your group, the entire group will not be allowed to draw for that hunt unit.

Up to four hunters can apply together for antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn permits. Group applications are not accepted for antlerless moose hunts.

Please remember that if you’re a youth, and you want to be included among those who draw for the antlerless permits reserved for youth, you must apply as an individual hunter. Do NOT apply as part of a group.

When you apply, all fees for all applicants in your group must be charged to one credit or debit card.

If your group is successful in the drawing, all of the applicants in your group who have valid applications will receive a permit.

To apply for a resident permit, you must be a resident on the date the permit is purchased. July 14, 2011 is considered the purchase date of the permit and the date by which you must establish residency in the state of Utah. (Please see the residency definition to learn whether you qualify as a resident.)

When you submit your application, you’ll be charged a nonrefundable $10 application fee for each species, bonus point or preference point you apply for.

Application fees, license fees and any donations you’ve authorized will be charged to your credit or debit card when you apply. Permit fees will be charged after the drawing, if you are successful.

You can use American Express, Discover, MasterCard and VISA credit or debit cards as payment, and they must be valid through August 2011. You can also use a pre-paid credit card. If you have questions about using a pre-paid credit card, check with your financial institution for more information. You will not be charged a permit fee unless you draw a permit.

Applications for antlerless hunting permits, bonus points and preference points must be submitted through wildlife.utah.gov no later than 11 p.m. on June 21, 2011.

Antlerless harvest reporting

Did you obtain an antlerless permit this year? If so, you’ll have the chance to participate in a voluntary harvest-reporting program after you complete your hunt.

This program will help the Division obtain more detailed information about the antlerless game harvested in 2011. It also gives you the chance to win a prize, just for reporting some basic information about your antlerless hunt.

After you finish your hunt (whether or not you harvest an animal), visit wildlife.utah.gov/harvestreporting and click the appropriate button at the top of the page. Then, you can log in and complete your antlerless online harvest report.

If you prefer to complete your harvest report over the phone, call 1-800-221-0659 at any time of day.

As soon as you submit your report—online or by phone—you will be automatically entered into a prize drawing. You don’t have to fill out a separate entry form.

To be entered into the prize drawing, you must submit your report by Feb. 29, 2012.

Although this program isn’t mandatory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Your efforts will help us obtain the information we need to better manage Utah’s big game herds.

Please remember that you must have a hunting license or a combination license to apply for permits and points. If you don’t already have one of these licenses, you can buy one online when you apply.

If you need help with your online application, please call any Division office before 6 p.m. on June 21, 2011. A Division employee will be available to help you!

June 21: Deadline to withdraw and resubmit your application

Did you make a mistake in your online permit application? Simply withdraw your original online application and submit a new, correct application before 11 p.m. on June 21, 2011.

You must have your confirmation number, your customer ID and your date of birth in order to withdraw your application. For each new application you submit, you will be charged a $10 application fee.

If you need help with your online application, please call any Division office before 6 p.m. on June 21, 2011.

June 21: Deadline to withdraw your application

If you decide not to hunt, you can withdraw your online permit application until 11 p.m. on June 21, 2011.

Please remember that the fees you submitted with your application are not refundable.

July 14: Drawing results available

You’ll be notified of the drawing results by e-mail. Beginning July 14, you can also see your drawing results online or call 1-800-221-0659 to obtain them.

Twenty percent of the antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn permits are reserved for hunters who will be 18 years of age or younger on Aug. 20, 2011.

If you’ll be 18 years of age or younger on Aug. 20, you can participate in the youth drawing by submitting an application as an individual hunter. You won’t be included in the youth drawing if you apply as a member of a group.

If you draw a permit, you’ll receive your permit in the mail in August.

Please be aware that if you receive your permit, and then the credit card you used for payment is refused, your permit becomes invalid and you may not participate in the antlerless hunt. If this happens, please call 1-800-221-0659 to resolve the problem.

July 21: Remaining antlerless permits available

Any antlerless permits remaining after the drawing may be obtained online beginning at 7 a.m. on July 21, 2011. You may also visit license agents and Division offices to purchase one of these permits.

Note: The hours when license agents are open for business vary; you should contact the agent you plan to visit before July 21 to learn when they’re open for business.

Remaining permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and you must have a valid hunting or combination license. You may obtain a maximum of two elk permits.

Bonus points and preference points

Bonus points

In the antlerless drawing, bonus points apply to antlerless moose only. You receive a bonus point for each unsuccessful application to hunt antlerless moose.

You may apply for a bonus point only by selecting the appropriate hunt choice code (ANM) on the application and paying the $10 application fee.

You must have a current Utah hunting or combination license in order to apply for an antlerless moose bonus point.

If you are eligible for an antlerless moose permit, you are eligible to apply for an antlerless moose bonus point.

If you apply for both an antlerless moose permit and a bonus point, your application will be rejected.

How your bonus points work in the drawing

Fifty percent (rounded down) of the permits for each hunt unit number are reserved for applicants with the most bonus points.

You receive one random drawing number for your antlerless moose application and one for every bonus point you have for antlerless moose. Your lowest random number is used in the drawing.

In the drawing for antlerless moose, applications are sorted into groups by the number of bonus points, from highest to lowest. There’s a group for hunters with three bonus points, one for hunters with two bonus points and so forth. Applications are sorted from lowest to highest draw number, and permits are awarded in order.

You may surrender an antlerless moose permit before the season opening date to waive the waiting period and reinstate your bonus points, including a bonus point for the current year (just as if a permit had not been drawn).

You cannot apply for a hunt or receive a bonus point if either of the following conditions apply:

You are currently under wildlife license suspension for big game hunting.

You are currently under a waiting period for the species you want to hunt.

The Division began issuing bonus points for antlerless moose in 2006.

Preference points

Preference points are used to ensure that applicants who are unsuccessful, or who apply for a preference point in the drawing for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn, will have first preference in the next year’s drawing for the respective permits.

If you do not want to hunt antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn in the current year, you may apply for a preference point by inserting the appropriate hunt choice code on the application. You will be charged a $10 application fee for every preference point you apply for (limit one per species).

The application period is June 1–21, 2011. You must have a current Utah hunting or combination license in order to apply for preference points.

If you are eligible for an antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn permit, you are eligible to apply for a preference point for that hunt.

You cannot apply for both a permit and a preference point for the same species. A preference point will not be issued if you are successful in drawing for the respective permit.

You will not forfeit your preference points if you obtain a permit that remains available after the drawing.

The Division began issuing preference points for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn in 2006.

How your preference points work in the drawing

In the drawing, the antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn applications are sorted into groups by the number of preference points, from highest to lowest. There’s a group for hunters with four preference points, one for hunters with three preference points and so forth. Within each group of preference points, the applications are then sorted from lowest to highest draw numbers. Permits are awarded in order, based on the hunt choice selected.

Preference points are averaged and rounded down when two or more applicants apply as a group. For example, if hunter A with three preference points and hunter B with zero preference points apply as a group, the preference points are averaged (1.5) and rounded down to one. Hunters with one preference point will be considered only after all groups or individuals with two or more preference points and before all groups or individuals with zero preference points.

In a second example, if hunter A with one preference point and hunter B with zero preference points apply as a group, the preference points are averaged (0.5) and rounded down to zero. This group with zero preference points will be considered after all groups or individuals with one or more preference points have been considered.

You may surrender your antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn permit before the season opening date to reinstate your preference points, including a preference point for the current year (just as if a permit had not been drawn).

You cannot apply for an antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn permit or a preference point if you are currently under wildlife license suspension for big game hunting.

Waiting periods

Waiting periods keep successful applicants out of the drawing for a few years. This gives unsuccessful applicants a better chance at drawing a permit in the future. The antlerless moose hunt is the only antlerless hunt with a waiting period.

Permits obtained after the drawing

If you’re under a waiting period for a certain species, you can still obtain any permit that remains for that species after the drawing, but your waiting period will start over.

For example, if you have two years left on your antlerless moose waiting period, and you buy an antlerless moose permit that remains available after the drawing, you’ll begin a new five-year waiting period. The new waiting period will prevent you from applying for an antlerless moose permit for the next five years.

Permit refunds

Some hunters successfully obtain permits and then realize—for one reason or another—that they won’t be able to use those permits. In most cases, the Division cannot refund the cost of the permit, but there are some exceptions. The Division may provide a refund under the following circumstances:

The Division or the Utah Wildlife Board cancels the hunt for which you obtained the permit.

The Division determines that it collected a fee from you by mistake. If you believe the Division collected a fee from you by mistake, please contact the agency. The Division has a committee that reviews these mistakes.

You obtain a limited-entry or once-in-a-lifetime permit (such as antlerless moose) and then surrender it to the Division no less than 30 days before the season-opening date. Under these circumstances, you will receive a refund of the permit fee—minus a $25 refund fee—and your bonus points will be reinstated.

You become ill or suffer an injury that prevents you from participating in the hunt you obtained a permit for. To receive a refund, you must provide verification from a physician of your illness or injury. You must also surrender the permit before the season the permit was issued for ends. You cannot receive a refund if you hunted.

If you’re a member of the United States Armed Forces, or a public health or public safety organization, you might be eligible for a refund if you’re mobilized or deployed in the interest of national defense or emergency, and your mobilization or deployment prevents you from participating in the hunting activity you bought the license or permit for.

A refund may also be granted if the permit recipient dies before they can participate in the hunt.